2009 Martian Manhunter 5" x 7" Iron-On Transfer #1

These appear regularly on eBay, starting at $3.00.

2004 Justice League NASCAR Intergalactic Speed #17 Martian Manhunter/Matt Kenseth T-Shirt

Certainly a shoo-in amongst the top 20 weirdest cross-promotions of all time, Warner Brothers/Cartoon Network/DC Comics teamed-up with NASCAR to promote the Justice League animated series. Hot Wheels also got in there somewhere, as made clear by the title "The Justice League Racing Weekend Presented by Hot Wheels." As far as I know, it was limited to cars painted up with the characters that ran Aug. 21-22, 2004, at Michigan International Speedway (and some merchandising like this.) Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, and Martian Manhunter were each associated with a racer. In a bit of redemption for this travesty, J'Onn's partner was 2003 champion Matt Kenseth, who presumably took a pass on Superman, God bless him. No. 17 only raced that Saturday, for Express Personnel Services, alongside Greg "Flash" Biffle and Mark "Batman" Martin. The union produced this t-shirt, amongst other oddities...

2009 Custom Martian Manhunter Lego Figure

The currently running eBay auction describes this as a "Custom Lego Batman friend and Justice League member Martian Manhunter." It's served "freshfromthesewers" at a starting bid of $5.99.

2007 Miss Martian "Megan's Sketch Book of Mystery" by Ethan Van Sciver

Wizard Magazine and Marvel Comics' Ben Morse, blogger at The Cool Kids Table, tells the story of how his fiancé partially inspired the creation of Megan Morse/M'gann M'orzz in his post The Secret Origin of Miss Martian. You can read more about that by following the links, but as an added bonus, Morse offered this first entry in his wife's Miss Martian sketchbook. Over two pages, Ethan Van Sciver set a high bar for all that would follow, and gave us some nice natural form Green Martians besides!

1967 Justice League of America Flash Game by Hasbro

I mentioned the 1967 Justice League of America Wonder Woman Game a few months back, and alluded to there being two more besides. Well, here's the second helping, a board game starring the Scarlet Speedster. Once again, J'onn J'onzz's head appears on the box top, this time alongside a blond Green Lantern Hal Jordan, plus Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Superman. Besides the mistakenly red cavaliers like last time, the Manhunter from Mars now sports matching gloves. The shame of it! Anyway, J'onn joins Barry Allen in battering a silly looking dragon. I don't know anything about the games mechanics, so we'll leave it at that.

2009 DC Comics Originals TS136450DCO Shelf Card

Click to Enlarge


Besides its being hit and miss on characters and kind of funky looking, I avoided buying the DC Comics Originals TS136450 DCCOMNT15 Turq T-Shirt because if I had, I'd never have gotten back in to Wall-Mart to photograph this novelty. It's a thin cardboard display intended to be slid into a clear plastic sheath to designate the shelf locations for these ugly shirts. I'd guesstimate it measured about 4" tall and about 7" across with a plain white back.

On a side note, sorry for another weekend of sparse posting and backdating. My new computer arrived in the mail on Saturday, and I struggled all weekend to transfer data from my antique (1999 build) to the shiny new model, in part because Windows Vista wanted nothing to do with any of my imaging programs. Thankfully, the girlfriend dug out her copy of Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 after 10 tonight, so I could finally edit some images to post. I'll be playing with whatever programs I can get my hands on, and recommendations are welcome. (Tom, if nothing else, I'll edit the scans I could recover on the old computer and forwared them to you a.s.a.p....)

2009 DC Comics Originals TS136450 DCCOMNT15 Turq T-Shirt

I've been wanting to post this one for a long time-- a decidedly weird and random offering from Wall*Mart. For just $7.50 ($9.50 if you're built bigger) you can get a series of headshots (by Freddie Williams?) of a fairly modern (pre-One Year Later-ish) set of DCU heroes (emphasis on those with dingalings.)

R to L: Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, Superman, the Flash, Green Arrow, Captain Marvel, conehead Martian Manhunter, Batman, Nightwing, Green Lantern John Stewart, Mr. Terrific, Hawkman, Firestorm, Aquaman, Black Lightning, Plastic Man, Kilowog, Cyborg, Red Arrow, Red Tornado and Blue Beetle.

I am full of questions. If you're going to feature J'Onn J'Onzz, why go with the nigh-unrecognizable and short-lived OYL revamp instead of the only version familiar to the public, the Justice League Unlimited model? If you're going for a heavy concentration of minority heroes, why present a Firestorm that looks more like Raymond than Rusch? If this was created with Batman: The Brave & the Bold in mind, why go with the semi-recent comic versions of Aquaman and Red Tornado? Why B- and C- listers instead of at least a token heroine? Why three Green Lanterns and no Hal Jordan (not that I'm complaining?) Finally, where do they get turquoise from, because it looks like a blue shirt to me (just this side of aqua, but still?)

Anyway, this shirt has been in stores for months now, and despite its low cost, I don't really want to buy one. It just took me a while to get up the nerve to waltz into the store, throw their merchandise on the floor, and start snapping pictures...

2008 DC Comics Super Hero Collection #18 - Martian Manhunter Figurine in Box

DC Comics Super Hero Collection #18 - Martian Manhunter
The ultimate collection for comics fans, the DC Superhero Collection Figurine Magazine brings together DC Comics` greatest heroes and villains! Official figurines of the characters, both good and evil, are cast in lead, individually hand-painted and numbered to form an authentic collector`s edition. Each comes with a 20-page magazine providing detailed history and background on the featured characters, including exclusive images and interviews. Choose this month from Starfire (#17), the Martian Manhunter (#18), Hitman (#36), and Batgirl (#37).
U.S. Release Date: 10/28/2009
Price:$14.00

I finally received my order (at $11.20) for this collectible on Tuesday, which I assume arrived stateside earlier than scheduled-- roughly September. By my calculations, it would have originally been released in mid-December of last year in Europe. Blessedly, I'm a reader, so the unlikelihood of getting this package in anything resembling mint condition was never a concern for me. The twenty page (counting covers and ads) magazine-sized booklet shipped in a hand-taped polybag with the figurine, so enormous creases in the cardstock cover were to be expected. The heavy figurine (guesstimation: 20 oz.) is itself encased in a two piece sculpted plastic clamshell, then everything is taped together in an open-faced cardboard box.



In this post is a hasty digital photo I took of the complete package, then scans of the box. The top sports a modern DC Comics logo emitting gray light. Gray-white electrical currents cover the back and sides of the box, while the bottom includes copyright information and other relevant text in several languages.



This weekend, we'll further explore this collectible figure and magazine.

2007 Alfajor Maxi Max Cookies DC Super Heroes Cartas De Poder: Martian Manhunter "Lucha"

...and here's that other Argentine cookie company gaming card, "Lucha," which means fighting or "wrestling." In this case, it's with Jemm: Son of Saturn, a problem Superman looks to be facing this week. The image is by Tom Mandrake, from the cover to March 1999's Martian Manhunter #4. The Attack value is 1200, with a Defense of 1200, making it weaker in both categories than "Poder."

2002 "Martian Manhunter (eye beams)" fan art by Gary Smith

Working on other projects and running behind tonight, so here's a quickie.

2007 Alfajor Maxi Max Cookies DC Super Heroes Cartas De Poder: Martian Manhunter "Poder"

I always knew eBay was a great source for posting material, but in my time away forgot about the overwhelming likelihood that visiting will compel me to buy random weird junk. For instance, how often do Argentine gaming cards featuring J'Onn J'Onzz come your way, so why not pick them up on the sorta cheap, right?

So here is my first of two DC Super Heroes "Cards of Power." In fact, this very card is all about "Poder," or "Power," It features a Tom Mandrake image, that was either used for advertisements or in an early issue of the ongoing series (I can't readily recall which.) It appears to show the Manhunter on Mars, but it seems like the JLA Watchtower is in the background (or was that Z'onn Z'orr?) Inside the building are Superman, Flash, and Green Lantern Kyle Rayner. I know nothing about the game, but the card has an attack value of 2300 and a defense of 2100.

The card backs are identical on the two cards I have. Joining the previously mentioned iconic super-heroes (sans Martian Manhunter, 'natch) are Aquaman (hook version,) Hawkman (Zero Hour gestalt version,) Wonder Woman and Batman. The cards came packaged with Alfajor Maxi Max cookies, presumably in association with powdered drink manufacturer Rinde Do's (Two Liters.)

Pictures of Martian Manhunter

When I look up to the skies
I see an alien super-hero of beryl
I rush home to the Watchtower
I sense Martian Vision to my marrow
I wake next morning, tired, still yawning
Detect your telepathy peering through my window

Pictures of Martian Man Hunter
Mirages of Martian Man Hunter
All I ever see is them and you...

Below is a gallery of professional art featuring images taken from sketches, pin-ups, merchandise, and so on. All showcase either the Martian Manhunter or, occasionally, a member of his extended family or foes. They are sorted by the artist's surname and date produced where available...

Dusty Abell
1996 Martian Manhunter Special #1 Group Pin-Up

Arthur "Art" Adams
1988 Action Comics #600 Pin-Up
1992 Venev Alien Parasite Model Sheet
2004 Justice League Art/DC Legends Card DCL-058: Stalwart Defense
2006 Convention Head Sketch

Jeff Albrecht
The Comic Reader #219 Back Cover (September, 1984)

Mike Allred
1999 Unused Community Chest Card #2 Art

Jim Aparo
1991 Who's Who in the DC Universe #13: Starro the Conqueror

Sergio Aragonés
1999 DCU Holiday Bash III

Mark Badger
Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch
1987 Martian Manhunter Watercolor
2009 Martian Manhunter & H'Ronmeer (with Toby Mays)
2009 Martian Manhunter & The Spectre (with Toby Mays)

Michael Bair
1997 Unused Original Art Page

Art Baltazar
2008 Convention Sketch

Eduardo "Ed" Barreto
1992 DC Comics American Secrets House Ad

Al Barrionuevo
2006 Classic Draped Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch
2008 "Para Fran" Head Sketch

David Michael Beck
J'Onn J'Onnz, Martian Manhunter

Brian Bolland
1982 London Editions Magazines Superman Official Annual 1983
1989 Animal Man #9 Original Cover Art

Bové
Who's Who Update '88 Vol.3: Queen Bee

Nick Bradshaw
2007 Justice League of America Babies at the hangout by Nick Bradshaw

Craig Brasfield
1991 Who's Who in the DC Universe #7: Felix Faust

John Byrne
1986 DC Comics Legends Promotional Ad

Eric Canete
2006 Justice League Unlimited Warm-Up Sketches

Steve Carr & Joe Rubinstein
2008 "Celestial Domes" Martian Manhunter and Moondragon Commission Piece

Leno Carvalho
2008 Ms. Martian Manhunter vs. Her Adam Warlock

John Cassaday
1999 Secret Origins featuring JLA TP Cover Art

Craig Cermak
2007 One Year Later Martian Manhunter

Mario Chavez
2009 Color Art Commission

Gene Colan
January 1986 Who's Who Vol.XI: Jemm

Simon Coleby
1997 JLA Gallery Pin-Up

Darwin Cooke

• "J'Onn J'Onzz from THE NEW FRONTIER"
• 2004 Justice League of America vs. Starro (DC: The New Frontier #6)
• 2004 "For Robert!" Convention Sketch
• 2005 San Diego Comic-Con International DC: The New Frontier - Martian Manhunter Sketch
• 2005 San Diego Comic-Con International "Natural Martian" Sketch by Darwyn Cooke
• 2006 "MMM... OREOS" Convention Sketch by Darwin Cooke
• 2007 The National Colored Pencil Convention Sketch

Dennis Culver
2008 "Team Green"

Carlos D'Anda
2010 Fringe alternate universe mock Justice League #1 cover by D'Anda, Kirby & Berry

Dan Davis
2006 Gem City Con Sketch

John Delaney
1997 JLA Gallery: Justice League of America vs. Professor Ivo & Amazo
1998 Wizard Magazine JLA Animated Holiday Mini-Poster

Ryan Dunlavey
2008 Martian Manhunter Sketch Card

Nick Edwards
2010 Martian Manhunter

Tommy Lee Edwards
1997 JLA Gallery

Ulises Farinas
2009 “Rise” Lego-Style Blackest Night Art

Mitch Foust
Female Versions of Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter

Brendon & Brian Fraim
2009 "Martian Manhunter!" Sketch Card by Brendon & Brian Fraim
2010 Martian Manhunter 2 Sketch Card

Curt Franklin
2008 "Martian Manhunter Riding A Unicorn"

TJ Frias
2010 DC3: Brightest Day

Chris Giarrusso
2005 Convention Sketch

Patrick "Pat" Gleason
2002 Green Arrow "Ollie's Stupendous Chili Recipe (Just Like Mom used to make!)" Pin-Up
2011 Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch

Chris Haley
2008 "Martian Manhunter Riding A Unicorn"

Craig Hamilton
1997 JLA Gallery Justice League of America vs. Starro Pin-Up

Dean Haspiel
2004 Convention Head Sketch

Rob Haynes
2005 Martian Manhunter Color Art

Fred Hembeck
1981 The Comic Reader #197 Back Cover
2011 Fred Hembeck Sketch Card: J'onn J'onzz and The Hulk 1 of 1

Phil Hester
2007 Wizard World Texas Convention Sketch
2008 Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch

Don Hillsman II
2010 Despero versus the Justice League Personal Sketch Card

Tom Hodges
2007 Martian Manhunter Sketch

Tan Eng Huat
2009 JLA Commission

Terry Huddleston
2011 Martian ManHunter

Adam Hughes
1991 Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch
2003 Convention Sketch (w/James Lyle)

Jamal Igle
2005 Head Sketch
2006 Sketch
2010 CBLDF Head Sketch
2010 Head Sketch

Daniel Irizarri
2010 "Heroes In Need" Martian Manhunter

Mark Irwin
2000 Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch

Ryan Jenkyns
2010 The Martian Manhunter

Phil Jimenez
riot Magazine #0 JLA cover

The Reverend Dave Johnson
2012 Martian Manhunter Comicpalooza Commission

J.G. Jones
Final Crisis: Requiem #1 J.G. Jones Cover

Dan Jurgens
1993 Skybox DC Cosmic Teams Card #43: Bloodwynd
1993 Who's Who in the DC Universe Update #2 Bloodwynd Profile (1/93)

John Kerschbaum
2001 "Bizarro X-Ray Two"

Juvaun "J.J." Kirby
2005 Flying Pin-Up
2010 Fringe alternate universe mock Justice League #1 cover by D'Anda, Kirby & Berry

Jun Bob Kim
2009 Power Girl & Martian Manhunter commission

Greg LaRocque
1995 Convention Sketch

Jae Lee
2006 JLA Charity Commission

Jeff Lemire
Justice League of America Pin-Up
2005 Justice League of America vs. Starro Pin-Up
2007 Justice League Print by Jeff Lemire

Tim Levins
2004 Toronto ComiCon Booklet Cover

James Lyle
2003 Convention Sketch

Kevin Maguire

• 1988 Justice League International Postcards: JLI Group Shot
• 1988 Justice League International Postcards: Martian Manhunter
• 1991 Impel DC Comics Cosmic Cards #121
• 1996 Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare Cover Triptych
• Munching Martian Manhunter Sketch
• 2010 HeroesCon Head Shot by Kevin Maguire

Doug Mahnke
Final Crisis: Requiem #1 Doug Mahnke Cover

David Malki!
2010 Marco Xavier Mediocre Convention Sketch

Tom Mandrake

• 1984 DC Sampler #2 New (Detroit) Justice League of America Preview Pin-Up (over Chuck Patton)
• "Batman and Friends" Commission
• Sketchbook Piece
• 1998 Legends of the DC Universe 3-D Gallery: Martian Manhunter
• 2007 Tom Mandrake Mid-Ohio Con Sketch
• 2009 Baltimore Comic Con Sketch
• 2010 "Grim..." Convention Head Sketch by Tom Mandrake and John Ostrander

John McCrea
2004 Convention Sketch

Luke McDonnell
1986 DC Wall Calender House Ad

Mike McKone
Martian Manhunter Style Guide/Turnaround
1997 JLA Gallery vs. Xotar Pin-Up

Jon McNally
2010 All-Ages All-Stars: Martian Manhunter art

Linda Medley
1988 Action Comics #600 Pin-Up

Gavin Michelli
2007 Martian Manhunter

Al Milgrom
August 1978 The Comic Reader Number 159 cover

Mike Mignola
1987 Convention Sketch

J.Mitchell
2006 Gir and Martian Manhunter

Sheldon "Shelly" Moldoff
1999 Justice League battle scene

Christopher Moeller
1998 DC Direct Martian Manhunter Poster
1998 Unused Martian Manhunter Cover Art by Christopher Moeller

Gilbert Monsanto
2010 "DC Ultra Spread C"

Lane Montoya
2012 Princess Cha'rissa Comicpalooza Commission

John Mundt, Esquire
2001 Martian Manhunter Sketch
2001 "The Members of the Justice League of America" Sketch

Ajay Naran
2010 "Manhunter"

Mike Nasser/ Michael Netzer

• 1976 Mike Nasser/Terry Austin World's Finest Pin-Up
• 1977 J'onn J'onzz Disapproving Convention Sketch
• 1979 J'onn J'onzz Convention Sketch
• 1980 Whizzard Fanzine Cover Art by Michael Nasser and Terry Austin
• 2004 Hawkgirl, J'Onn J'Onzz & Hawkman Convention Sketch
• 2007 "The Idol-Head Of Diabolu, A Blog For J'Onn J'Onzz" Banner
• 2008 Aquaman & Martian Manhunter Preliminary Sketch
• 2008 Martian Manhunter, Aquaman & Atom Art
• 2008 Martian Manhunter and the Atom (Ray Palmer) Art
• 2008 Martian Manhunter and the Atom (Ryan Choi) Art
• 2008 "Take Me... But Don't Kill J'Onn" Promotional Piece
• 2009 "J'onn J'onzz R.I.P." Pin-Up
• 2010 FBCC Sketches | Martian Manhunter
• 2010 Martian Manhunter Commission Pencils by Michael Netzer
• 2010 Martian Manhunter Commission by Michael Netzer & Joe Rubinstein

Oliver Nome
2006 One Year Later Martian Manhunter
2010 Baby Martian Manhunter by Oliver Nome

Irv Novick
1986 Professor Ivo (Who's Who Vol.XVIII)

Eddie Nunez
2010 Martian Manhunter

Glen Orbik
2000 Justice League of America Plate

Rhiannon Owens
2006 "The JLA" painting
2008 Justice League of America painting by Rhiannon Owens
2008 "The Original Seven" painting

Kristin Palach
2008 "Superhero Rock Band"

Bruce Patterson
1990 "Justice League America vs Lobo" Color Commission

Chuck Patton
1984 DC Sampler #2 New (Detroit) Justice League of America Preview Pin-Up (with Tom Mandrake)

George Pérez

• 1981 Justice League of America #195 Justice Society of America Pin-Up
• 1983 Justice League of America vs. The Avengers page 12 pencil art
• 1983 Justice League of America vs. The Avengers page 12 pencil art detail of Martian Manhunter
• Justice League of America vs. The Avengers pencil art detail of She-Hulk/Martian Manhunter
• 1984 The Martian Manhunter Postcard
• 1996 Justice League/Avengers Headshot Commission
• 1998 Crisis On Infinite Earths Hardcover cover (painted over by Alex Ross)
• 2002 ACTOR JLA/Avengers auction piece
• 2005 Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Absolute Edition cover art
• 2006 George Pérez Convention Head Sketch
• 2008 Convention Sketch
• 2008 Justice League of America "Original Seven" Piece
• 2009 Autograph Doodle

Joe Phillips
1994 Skybox Superman: Man of Steel Platinum Series Card #40

Robert Pope
2004 Toyfare Magazine #90 JLU-style Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 homage

Howard Porter
Howard Porter Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch
1996 JLA Howard Porter/John Dell Promotional Piece
1997 Fleer/Skybox Justice League Overpower 6 Value Any-Power Card
1997 Fleer/Skybox JLA Overpower Universe Ally "Zauriel" Card

Joe Prado
2010 Martian Manhunter Brightest Day Character Design

Brian Quinn
2006 Convention Sketch

Humberto Ramos
2005 Head Sketch

Chris Renaud
DC Outburst: Firepower, card #04 (1996)
DC Outburst: Firepower, card #75 (1996)
1997 Fleer/Skybox JLA Overpower Tactic Double Shot Card

Paul Rivoche
2004 JLA-Z #3 Martian Manhunter Pin-Up

Alex Ross

• Ajax (Martian Manhunter) Tattoo by Fernando Shimizu
• 1998 Crisis On Infinite Earths Hardcover cover painting (over George Pérez)
• 1998 Justice League Plate
• 2000 Batman Christmas Plate (featuring the JLA)
• 2001 "World's Greatest Super-Heroes" & "Liberty & Justice" Cover Concept Sketches
• 2002 JLA: Secret Origins: Justice League of America
• 2002 Justice League of America vs. Starro
• 2003 DC Direct JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE Collector's Plate
• 2005 DC Direct Martian Manhunter Statue Design Art
• 2006 Martian Manhunter: From Bruce Wayne's private files in the Batcomputer
• 2007 Alex Ross Shazam Proposal: Martian Manhunter Redesign
• 2008 "Infinitely Heroic" Giclee

Craig Rousseau
2003 Head Sketch

Paul Ryan
Convention Head Sketch

Chris Samnee
2007 "10 Minute Sketch: Martian Manhunter"
2010 "Minimalist JLA"

Evan “Doc” Shaner
2008 Martian Manhunter Sketch Card

Paul Smith
2007 The Justice League of America Commission

Ryan Sook
2007 Unpublished Batman and the Outsiders Promo Page
2010 Martian Manhunter Brightest Day Variant Cover

Cat Staggs
2006 Upper Deck VS System World's Finest Game Card DWF-101 "Technocrat, Geoffrey Barron" Card
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Martian Manhunter Multi-Case Incentive Sketch Card

Jim Starlin
1986 Who's Who Vol.XVI: Mongul
2007 Convention Sketch

Arne Starr
Martian Manhunter by Arne Starr

Joe Staton
1978 "The DC Explosion!" Ad

Brian Stelfreeze
Undated Convention Sketch
1997 Convention Sketch

Marcio Takara
2008 "The League: Past & Present"
2009 "50 Tiny Characters"

Philip Tan
2005 JLA Portfolio Sample

Tommy Tejeda
Tommy Tejeda Martian Manhunter Art Gallery
2001 Justice League Animated Art by Tommy Tejeda
2001 Justice League Team Silhouette Design

Ty Templeton
1990 Who's Who in the DC Universe #2: Maxwell Lord Profile Detail

Mark Texeira
2006 Justice League of America Painting

Koi Turnbull
2007 Unpublished Batman & The Outsiders #1 Cover

Tom Valente
2007 Watercolor Painting
2007 "ICE COLD MILK and AN OREO COOKIE" sketch
2009 "LATE NIGHT SNACK..." color art
2009 Rittenhouse Justice League of America Archives Sketch Cards

Ethan Van Sciver
2009 Black Lantern Martian Manhunter
2009 Black Lantern Martian Manhunter Blackest Night Teaser Ad
2010 Zook Convention Piece by Ethan Van Sciver

Sal Velluto
1993 Justice League Task Force Official Membership Card
2010 Wonder Woman & Martian Manhunter Commission

John Watson
2005 VS Trading Card Original Painted Art

J.H. Williams III
December 1998 Legends of the DC Universe 3-D Gallery #1: Chase

Bill Willingham
2003 Convention Piece

Pete Woods
2011 Batman vs the Martian Manhunter

Thom Zahler
2012 Roh Kar Comicpalooza Commission

Daniel Zezlj
1997 JLA Gallery

Uncredited
1986 DC Comics Subscription Ad
1990 The Atlas of the DC Universe: Middleton, Colorado
1996 Martian Manhunter Special #1 Bloodwynd Pin-Up
1997 Dollar General Total Justice Jumbo Coloring & Activity Book
Martian Manhunter Kids' WB Online Graphic
Justice League Unlimited Comic Book House Ad
2010 Young Justice Animated Series Promo Art

Current as of 6/4/11

2007 Martian Manhunter Mark Coon Sketch

2009 The Martian Manhunter Archives Volume 1 Introduction Fan Mock-Up by Tom Hartley

At this point, I'm just going to proclaim Tom Hartley a contributor to the blog. Through his initiative, we have the front cover, the back cover, the table of contents and now an introduction to the fictional DC Comics Martian Manhunter Archive Edition.

I was too lazy to write four whole pages, so most of the intro's first two pages are stolen from Bob Greenberger's text piece from the 2001 Millennium Edition reprint of Detective 225 and Mark Waid's text piece from the 1992 Silver Age Classics reprint. Pages 3 and 4 are all mine.

I believe I've read and quoted at least one, if not both, of those sources. I don't think either is in my possession anymore though, so I can't check to see where one ends and another begins. Instead, I'll just enjoy the combination of Greenberger, Waid, and especially Hartley as the pseudonymous gestalt entity "Wade Greenberg." The full text and images can be downloaded as a PDF, but I figured I'd post the straight text here as well...

He came from our neighboring planet, prominent brow and green skin clearly marking him as something other than human. At the height of an age in which aliens were usually seen as the enemy, he was a hero. And despite the fact that the Martian Manhunter has rarely been more than a supporting player in the DC Universe, he has shown surprising longevity, outlasting virtually every other science-fiction-based hero in comics.

The enduring heroes are the ones who are products of their time. Superman, protector of the weak and oppressed, was conceived during the great depression, when the American spirit was at its lowest ebb and people longed desperately to embrace a symbol of justice. Batman, the righteous vigilante, was birthed by the feelings of helplessness within the common folk, who were faced with the reality of urban crime when the industrial revolution created dark, crowded streets around them.

By the mid-1950s, America had been tempered by its victory in World War II, and postwar America was bustling toward a brighter tomorrow: the rapidly developing technology of atomic weapons, jet aircraft, computing machines and television allowed people to feel that a fantastic future might be just around the corner. People throughout the country entertained a new prosperity … and a weird, paranoid fear that someone was going to take it away from them. Senator Joe McCarthy had everyone believing that “evil Communists” skulked around every corner, posing as normal Americans while threatening our moral fibre. Likewise, science-fiction movie makers ran with that paranoia and used it to fuel films like INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS and I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE, which enforced a “Keep Watching the Skies” mentality and personified the “enemy” as an Alien Threat. The message was clear: your life could easily be touched by aliens from that stellar infinity known (redundantly) as “outer space”. That nice, new neighbor couple down the block … that remarkably clean-cut young man your daughter married just last week … anyone.

Little green men from Mars walked among us, undetected. They could be barbers, politicians, insurance salesmen … or, in DC’s case, a police detective.

DC Comics, then known by the more staid company name, National Periodical Publications, capitalized on the rising popularity of science fiction in 1950 by launching STRANGE ADVENTURES. The success of this title prompted the arrival of MYSTERY IN SPACE in 1951, and DC provided a steady diet of stellar fare for the next twenty years. Over the course of their runs, these titles featured a variety of spacefaring characters including Chris KL-99 and Captain Comet. But the one who most sparked readers’ imaginations appeared in an unlikely place: DETECTIVE COMICS.

True to its name, DETECTIVE COMICS focused on the adventures of criminal investigators. In the 1950s, Batman, the lead feature, was backed by plainclothes detectives, each with his own gimmick: Roy Raymond, who debunked mysteries on that newfangled device, the television; Mysto, who used stage magic to solve cases; and Captain Compass, who kept the seas safe from modern-day pirates. So why not a detective who was secretly a Martian?

The idea of a lawman from Mars had been previously tried out in BATMAN #78 (August-September, 1953). In “The Manhunter from Mars”, the green-skinned Roh Kar aids the Dynamic Duo in capturing Quork, a “distorted genius” who uses his advanced Martian technology to embark on a crime-spree on Earth. Our heroes are able to defeat Quork by taking advantage of a weakness common to all Martians. Borrowing from H. G. Wells, writer Edmond Hamilton (who had himself written prose science fiction before turning to comics) reveals that something common on Earth and harmless to human beings proves to be a threat to Martians. In THE WAR OF THE WORLDS it was the common cold; for Hamilton’s Martians, it’s Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere, which induces “oxygen-intoxication”, rendering Quork too slaphappy to put up a fight. Roh Kar and Quork return to Mars, and that’s the last Batman and Robin, or anyone else on Earth, ever see of them.

But the idea resurfaced two years later, in 1955. DETECTIVE COMICS #225 saw the debut of a brand new back-up feature, “John Jones, Manhunter from Mars”, courtesy of veteran writer Joe Samachson and atmospheric artist Joe Certa.
Some may find a resemblance between Detective John Jones (whose true, Martian name is J’Onn J’Onzz) and DC’s more famous strange visitor from another planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of normal men, but unlike the Man of Steel, who collected accolades by using his powers openly and freely, Jones was forced by his otherworldly appearance to work in secret, performing his deeds invisibly rather than risk exposing himself to a distrusting world.

Both came from worlds with civilizations far in advance of our own——in J’Onn J’Onzz’s debut story we learn that there has been no war or crime on Mars for centuries——but unlike Krypton, Mars had not been destroyed by “unstable elements in its core”. J’Onn’s family and friends were still alive and awaited his return. However, J’Onn did not possess Superman’s powers of flight and super-speed (at least, not in the early stories). He was dependant upon technology to return to Mars. But the technology that had brought him to Earth——Dr. Erdel’s “robot brain”——had done so by accident. Erdel himself was only beginning to understand his complex new invention, and the reprogramming necessary to return J’Onn to Mars might take months or even years. And as luck would have it, the elderly inventor was so startled by the sudden appearance of a Martian in his laboratory, and by a demonstration of the Martian’s shapeshifting power, that he died of a heart attack. Meanwhile, J’Onn’s fellow Martians were still in the process of developing their own space program, Project Star-Ride, which might be years or even centuries away from fruition. J’Onn J’Onzz was stranded, as much a stranger in a strange land as the Martian hero of Robert Heinlein’s novel, and whenever he gazed into the night sky, he could make out his own world shining among the stars, it’s faint red glow beckoning to him.

While interplanetary travel was beyond his powers, he still possessed an impressive, and ever growing, set of abilities. In the first story he can read minds, change shape, become invisible and intangible, and use “mind over matter”, presumably a form of telekinesis, to extract gold from the ocean’s floor. The second story reveals that he has x-ray vision and that he can see into the future. We also see further examples of telekinesis, alternately called “Martian molecular hypnosis” and “Martian mind-over-matter”. He can fly in the third story, but presumably not fast enough or for a long enough duration to return to Mars. In the fourth story he withstands a ray blast that would have killed an Earthling. In the fifth story he has super-breath, in the sixth he has super-hearing, and so on. Obviously the writers were just making up new powers on the spot, giving our hero whatever fantastic ability was necessary to deal with a given situation. Suppose Det. Jones is at the city pier, and he finds out an armored car has just been stolen downtown. How does he immediately get downtown to stop whatever mischief is brewing? Nothing a little Martian will-power can’t solve. Through deep concentration he can will his body to any part of the world. Concentrate, Det. Jones. Concentrate on downtown … downtown … downtown … Some of these powers, such as the aforementioned ability to see into the future or teleportation as an application of will-power, or my personal favorite in his arsenal of vision powers, “Martian angle-vision”, which allowed him to see around corners, were only used once and then presumably forgotten by the writers. But most became a permanent part of his super-skill set, and by the later stories in this volume, he has many of the same powers as Superman, including flight, super-strength, near-invulnerability, assorted vision powers, super-hearing, and so on.

With all these powers, there has to be a weakness, of course, and J’Onn’s life would have been a lot easier if that weakness were something as exotic as Kryptonite. But, alas, the one weakness of all Martians is fire——not as common as oxygen, but still a nuisance. A Martian’s vulnerability goes beyond getting burned; proximity to fire drains a Martian’s strength, robs him of his super-powers, paralyses him, and ultimately kills him. Actually, the fear that overtakes J’Onn at the mere sight of fire is almost as debilitating as the physical effects. As with his other vulnerabilities, his homesickness and his alienation from those around him, having a phobia that plagued many real-world human beings was supposed to make him more sympathetic to readers. But the writers overdid it. Does every story have to show him cringing every time somebody lights a match? Must every other plot hinge upon his overcoming his fear of fire to save the day? Every pop culture icon needs a catch-phrase: “Truth, justice and the American way.” “Go ahead, make my day.” “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?” “It’s clobberin’ time!” For poor J’Onn it’s, “Fire! My one weakness!”

This volume collects the first three years of “John Jones Manhunter from Mars” back-up stories in DETECTIVE COMICS, from issues #225-260 (1955-58), and shows the series concept evolving from plainclothes detective with a gimmick (our hero is secretly a Martian) to super-hero action-adventure. In the early stories we rarely see Det. Jones in his Martian form——never at all, in many stories. But beginning in “The Hero Maker” in issue #240 (February, 1957), he assumes his Martian form whenever he uses his powers. The last story in which we never see him as the Martian Manhunter is issue #249’s “Target for a Day” (November, 1957), and ironically, we see very little of Detective Jones either; he spends most of the story disguised as the Governor (of an unnamed state, of course). Gradually the stories become more about a super-powered being from Mars and less about a police detective with an otherworldly secret. By the end of this volume J’Onn J’Onzz still hasn’t revealed his existence to the world (that will come in volume 2), so it is only we readers who see more and more of the Martian Manhunter. Whenever he assumes his true form he has to become invisible. And it only makes sense that as the stories become more “super-hero-ey” the menaces become more fantastic, with mobsters, con-artists and arsonists(!) giving way to mad scientists, paramilitary gangs equipped with tanks and jet fighters, and even other Martians. (Alas, even Mars couldn’t remain crime-free forever.)

To reflect the change in the stories, artist Joe Certa’s visual style becomes less detailed and atmospheric, and more economical and light-hearted, more “cartoony”. His depiction of the Martian Manhunter also changes. The brow gradually becomes less prominent and eventually disappears altogether, as does the overbite. He develops a pugilist’s square jaw and broad pug nose. But as we will see in later volumes, the nose will become straighter and narrower, and the jut of his jaw a bit less pronounced, making him more conventionally handsome. It must have been felt that making the hero more human in appearance would make him more appealing to readers, and maybe it did at the time——the feature must have been popular to have lasted so long. But for me, as his appearance becomes less alien, he loses some of his charm. (Fortunately, in the late ‘70s artist Michael Netzer would restore J’Onn’s alien visage, brow and all, in a short-lived series of back-up stories in ADVENTURE COMICS.)

J’Onn’s run in DECTECTIVE COMICS eventually ended, after 102 issues, in #326 (April, 1964), making it one of the longest running back-up features in the book’s history. When editor Julius Schwartz took over from the departing Jack Schiff, he replaced the Manhunter from Mars with a new back-up feature, the Elongated Man. Schiff, meanwhile, took over HOUSE OF MYSTERY beginning with issue #143 and took the Manhunter with him.

But we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves——and we don’t want this introduction to take up the entire book. On with the stories!

—— Wade Greenberg

WADE GREENBERG was born in Middleton, Colorado, and currently lives in Apex City with his faithful canine companion, Zook. He is the author of numerous books, including his latest, Better a Red Planet than a Dead Planet.

2009 The Martian Manhunter Archives Volume 1 Table of Contents Fan Mock-Up by Tom Hartley

DC Comics is unlikely to ever print an actual Manhunter from Mars Archive Edition, especially with the rising popularity of cheap bulk black and white collections (Showcase Presents) and digital-only media. In his modern era of inexpensive binding and print on demand books, Tom Hartley has decided to construct everything you could possibly need (aside from scans/torrents) to produce an Archive Edition on your own! First he put together a front cover, next the back, and now the illustrated table of contents. I imagine you can't make out the fine print on the jpeg Tom was kind enough to provide for my technologically handicapped self. Perhaps you should instead download the PDF containing each page of the "contents?" Pretty amazing replica, don't you think? Now if only there were an introduction available...